Can A Neutral and a Ground Share a Bus Bar

[akincade (Austin Kincade)]

I know grounds can share the same bus bar, but I didn’t think a ground and neutral.

[jjonas (Jeffrey Jonas)]

Your terminology is incorrect.

Yes… a Neutral and a Ground can share a Bus Bar in a Service Panel, (Not a Sub-panel).

NO… a Neutral and a Ground CANNOT share a LUG in ANY panel.

NO… a Neutral CANNOT share a LUG with any other conductor on ANY Bus Bar.

EDIT… Yes… a Ground can share a Lug with one or more additional Ground conductors (depending on panel manufacturer), most commonly for a total of three conductors.

[mroberts21 (Mark Roberts)]

Speaking of terminology. A bus bar TERMINAL block is what you’re putting the wires inside and screwing a terminal screw down to hold the wire. A bus bar is a anything that conducts electricity. Bus bars can be flat, round, thin, fat, spirals, springy, etc. They are “busing” electricity from point A to point B.

[akincade (Austin Kincade)]

Thanks for the clarification. Yeah my terminology on that one was garbage.

[dbuck3 (Dennis Buck, 450.003084)]

An outside disconnect means grounds and neutral must be separated and bonding strip removed

[rmeier2 (Robert Meier)]

What if it is the service disconnect?

[dhorton2 (Daniel Horton, CMI®)]

@jjonas

Yes… a Ground can share a Lug with two or more other Ground conductors (depending on panel manufacturer).

I believe only 3 total grounding conductors under one lug

[rkenney (Robert (Bob) Kenney, CMI® MD Lic.# 31044)]

@mroberts21

They are “busing” electricity from point A to point B.

Exactly what a grounded conductor bus bar is doing. It provides a bonding point for multiple conductors all “Busing” electricity to the same designation. The terms can be synonymous although you might not call the A or B leg a terminal block is is essentially because it allows multiple circuit breaker terminations.

Everyone calls it a bus bar. When I think of a terminal block I think of a 110 punch block for a phone system.

[jjonas (Jeffrey Jonas)]

@dhorton2

only 3 total

Varies with Manufacturer!

Okay, I see your point… let me rephrase…

@jjonas

Yes… a Ground can share a Lug with one or more additional Ground conductors (depending on panel manufacturer), most commonly for a total of three conductors.

Better?

[rmeier2 (Robert Meier)]

Okay since we’re all high on terminology busbar is one word.

[jjonas (Jeffrey Jonas)]

@rmeier2

busbar is one word.

Sorry. I’m still trying to quit using “Buss Bar”!

[mroberts21 (Mark Roberts)]

I think I will start calling it the electrical choo choo, that should eliminate any ambiguity besides, busses are for proles.

[jmckee (James McKee)]

If You spend too much time in the bar You better take the bus home,

[rkenney (Robert (Bob) Kenney, CMI® MD Lic.# 31044)]

@jmckee

better take the bus home,

Home was 2 blocks away. I could always stumble my way there. Those three steps to the front porch were a killer though.

[rbleich (Richard Bleich)]

Bus bar…

[dmeelee (Denis Mee-Lee)]

Can a neutral and ground share the same busbar in a sub panel that has a service disconnect?

[rkenney (Robert (Bob) Kenney, CMI® MD Lic.# 31044)]

Short answer - NO!

[dwigger (David Wigger, CMI, Retired)]

I agree with Bob. NO!

[rmeier2 (Robert Meier)]

@dmeelee

Can a neutral and ground share the same busbar in a sub panel that has a service disconnect?

Is the service disconnect ahead of the sub-panel? How many conductors are in the feeder 3 or 4?

[ryoung7 (ROBERT YOUNG, CMI)]

Neutral and a Ground conductor can share a Busbar in a Service Panel.
I think NEC (NFPA 70) Article 250.30 (5).